Poultry-feeder.



M. W. LAWLOR.

POULTRY FEEDER. APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 28. 1911.

Patented Sept. 17, 1912.

H F 6 r 8 y m w m 5 0 m 0 L wue/nto'o M. William Lawlo r. I

coLUMmA l'L/momuu-u cu UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL WILLIAM LAWLOR, 0F NEEDHAIM HEIGHTS, MASSACHUSETTS.

POULTRY-FEEDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL WILLIAM LAwLoR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Needham Heights, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Poultry-Feeders, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of poultry feed devices in which the supply is controlled by the fowls, the purpose of the arrangement being to compel the fowls to exercise.

It is the object of the invention to provide a simple and efficient device of the kind stated, and also one in which the grain is freely discharged and all danger of clogging up of the device is obviated.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective View showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of the discharge device. Fig. 3 is an elevation showing a modified form of discharge device.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 5 denotes a suitable receptacle which holds the supply of grain or other feed. The receptacle is supported on legs 6; or it may be hung up, a bail 7 being provided for this purpose. The receptacle has a hopper bottom, and to the outlet thereof is connected a screw-threaded nipple 8.

The device which controls the discharge of the grain from the receptacle is a tube 9 which depends from the nipple 8. The

. tube is a coil of wire similar to a helical The convolutions of the coil are brought close together to prevent the grain from passing therebetween when the coil is in its normal position. the coil the convolutions are spread apart sufficiently to enable the fowl to pick out the grain. The bottom of the coil is closed by a plug 10, and its upper end is open and screws over the nipple 8. The grain there fore drops from the receptacle into the coil and is held therein until it is stretched sufficiently to let the grain pass out between the convolutions. The plug 10 carries a rod spring.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 28, 1911.

At the bottom of Patented Sept. 17, 1912.

Serial No. 668,243.

11 which extends centrally and lengthwise through the coil and enters the receptacle, said rod serving to stir up the grain and thereby prevent clogging. Instead of closing the lower end of the coil by a plug 10, the closure may be made by gradually decreasing the diameter of the convolutions, as shown in Fig. 3. p

In operation, the fowls jump for the grain in sight at the lower end of the coil, and in so doing pull the coil down and spread the convolutions thereof so that the grain drops out and is scattered in every direction. The fowls are therefore given exercise, and waste of grain is also prevented. The movement of the coil operates the rod 11 and the latter causes the grain to feed evenly and prevents it from clogging the coil.

The device herein described is simple in construction, and can therefore be cheaply manufactured, and it efiectually serves the purpose for which it is designed. No specially constructed receptacle is necessary.

I claim:

1. A poultry feeder comprising a receptacle, and a depending discharge tube connected thereto, said tube comprising a helical coil which is closed at its lower end, and

has its lower convolutions permanently spaced apart to permit escape of the feed.

2. A poultry feeder comprising a receptacle, a depending discharge tube connected thereto, said tube comprising a helical coil which is closed at its lower end, and has its lower convolutions permanently spaced apart to permit escape of the feed, and an agitator carried by the coil and extending therethrough into the receptacle.

3. A poultry feeder comprising a receptacle having a threaded nipple at its outlet, and a depending discharge tube connected to the nipple, said tube comprising a helical coil which is closed at its lower end and screws at its upper end on the nipple, said coil having its lower convolutions permarflently spaced apart to permit escape of the eed.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

M. \VILLIAM LAVVLOR.

Witnesses:

EZRA T. M. WILLIAMSON, SAMUEL T. PARKER.

Gopie: of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

